JPH0238704Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Technical field) This invention relates to a washing machine that controls washing or rinsing operations by detecting changes in turbidity of liquid in the drain pipe of the washing tub, and in particular, the invention relates to a washing machine that controls washing or rinsing operations by detecting changes in turbidity of liquid in the drain pipe of the washing tub. The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a cleaning device for removing dirt from dirt.

(Prior Art) Recently, various washing machines have been developed that control washing or rinsing operations by optically detecting changes in turbidity of washing liquid, rinsing liquid, etc. One example is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a washing tub, 2 is a pulsator, 3 is a water supply valve for supplying water to the washing tub 1, 4 is a drain pipe, 5 is a drain valve provided in the drain pipe 4, and 6 is a drain valve 5. 7 is a solenoid that opens the drain valve 5 via a rod 8; 9 is a detection window 10, 1 provided in the drain pipe 4;
0, 11 is a light emitting element that irradiates light into the measuring section 9 through one detection window 10, and 12 is a light emitting element that irradiates light into the measuring section 9 through the other detection window 1.
The light-emitting element 11 and the light-receiving element 12 constitute a turbidity detector, and the change in turbidity of the liquid in the measuring section 9 is detected by the change in the output of the light-receiving element 12. It controls operations such as rinsing.

However, in such a device, the output of the light receiving element 12 depends not only on the turbidity of the liquid but also on the detection window 10,
The detection window 10,
10 must be kept clean at all times so that the turbidity of the liquid can be accurately detected.

However, in the past, as shown in FIG.
A cleaning tool 14, which is connected to the opening and closing of the drain valve 5,
A cleaning device is provided which removes dirt from the detection windows 10, 10 by bringing the detection windows 14 into sliding contact with the inner surfaces of the detection windows 10, 10. However, since cleaning with such a cleaning device is carried out in a liquid with relatively high turbidity, the cleaning effect of the detection windows 10, 10 is not very effective, the rate of remaining dirt is high, and the inside of the measuring part 9 is The problem is that the turbidity of the liquid cannot be detected accurately, and if the remaining dirt dries and sticks when the washing machine is not in use, it becomes more difficult to remove. Cleaning with a cleaning device is carried out prior to the start of washing or rinsing, but before the start of washing, detergent has already been added to the solution, and before the start of rinsing, the amount of detergent contained in the laundry and the amount of washing The liquid in the measuring section 9 is in a polluted state due to the dirt in the tank being mixed in.
Cleaning in such an environment causes the above-mentioned drawbacks.

(Purpose) This proposal was made in view of this point, and by installing a water supply pipe that directly supplies clean water without passing through a washing tank inside the measurement unit, cleaning by the cleaning device can be performed in clean water. In addition to increasing the effectiveness of cleaning the detection window, the turbidity detector detects the turbidity of clean water that fills the measuring section and stores it as a reference value, eliminating the conventional drawbacks caused by dirt on the detection window. This is what I did.

(Example) An example of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 will be described in detail below. In FIG. 2, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals as in FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 15 is a water supply pipe whose one end is connected to the drain pipe 4 and whose other end has a water supply inlet 16 opened in an upward position; This is a water supply valve to supply clean water from the tap. For example, in an automatic washing machine, the water supply valve 17 is opened for a certain period of time before the start of the washing process, before the start of the rinsing process, and after the end of the final drain, and the drain valve 5 is opened and closed once or several times during this period. Control.

In an embodiment of such a configuration, the water supply valve 17
When the valve 17 opens, clean water from the tap is supplied to the water supply valve 17,
While the water is supplied into the measurement unit 9 through the water supply pipe 15, the cleaning tools 14 and 1 are
4 comes into sliding contact with the inner surfaces of the detection windows 10, 10, and the detection windows 10, 10 are cleaned in clean water, dirt is efficiently removed, and the detection windows 10, 10 are in a clean state.
Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the turbidity of the liquid in the measuring part 9 during the washing and rinsing processes, and the cleaning after the final drainage process prevents dirt from remaining on the detection windows 10, 10. There will be no more problems.

In the above embodiment, the water supply valve 17 is kept open for a while after the drain valve 5 is closed, and the measurement unit 9
The tank is filled with clean water, and then the water supply valve 3 is opened to supply water for the washing or rinsing process, and at the start of the washing or rinsing process, the turbidity of the clean water is detected by a turbidity detector and its value is controlled. This value is stored in a means (not shown), and the degree of washing and degree of rinsing is determined based on this stored value.

Incidentally, the present invention may be implemented in a fully automatic washing machine, and in that case, if the detection window is cleaned after the final dewatering process, the detection window will not be left with dirt attached to it.

(Effects) As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, the detection window of the measurement unit can be cleaned in clean water to efficiently remove dirt and exhibit a high cleaning effect. In addition, it is possible to measure the turbidity of clean water filled in the measuring section as a reference value, and to accurately detect the turbidity of the liquid in the measuring section, thereby performing appropriate control.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a conventional washing machine, and FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a washing machine according to the present invention. 1: Washing tub, 4: Drain pipe, 9: Measuring section, 1
0: detection window, 11: light emitting element, 12: light receiving element,
14: Cleaning tool, 15: Water supply pipe.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] A measurement unit having a detection window installed in the drain pipe of a washing tub, and a turbidity detector that transmits light into the liquid in the measurement unit to detect the turbidity of the liquid. , a washing machine equipped with a cleaning device for cleaning the detection window, wherein a water supply pipe is provided in the measurement section to supply clean water directly without passing through the washing tub, and when the washing and rinsing process starts, the washing machine is equipped with a cleaning device that cleans the detection window. A washing machine characterized by comprising a control means for detecting the filled clean water using the turbidity detector and storing the detected value as a reference value.